but not yet

USAGE SUMMARY

"but not yet" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express that something has not happened or been achieved yet, even though it was expected to. For example: "She expected to receive her college acceptance letter last week, but not yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

But not yet.

The New York Times

Almost, but not yet.

The New Yorker

Soon, but not yet.

The New Yorker

Quite possibly, but not yet.

Independent

But not yet, not overnight.

The New York Times - Sports

But not yet, they reckon.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But maybe not yet.

The Economist

But just not yet.

The Economist

but is not yet implemented.

University of California, Berkeley

But no, not yet.

The Guardian - Opinion

But clearly not yet.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not yet" to indicate that something is expected or possible in the future, but has not happened or been achieved at the current time. This implies a sense of anticipation or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "but not yet" when there is no reasonable expectation or possibility of the event occurring in the future. It implies a potential or anticipated outcome, so it's not appropriate for situations where that potential is absent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not yet" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, typically used to introduce a contrast while also indicating a temporal aspect. It suggests that while something might be true or expected, it hasn't occurred up to the present moment. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not yet" is a commonly used conjunction phrase that indicates something is anticipated or expected but hasn't occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it fits well across different writing styles. Its primary function is to introduce a contrast with a temporal element, expressing anticipation or expectation. While the phrase is versatile, consider rephrasing for formal contexts using options such as "not at this time". Remember to use "but not yet" only when there's a reasonable expectation of the event occurring in the future. It's most frequently found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science" sources and authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian often use "but not yet".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just now

Emphasizes the immediacy of the "not yet" aspect, implying a near-future possibility.

not at the moment

Highlights the current temporary state.

not at this time

Replaces "but" with a more direct temporal indicator, reducing the sense of contrast.

not so far

Shifts the focus to the duration, indicating that progress or completion hasn't occurred up to the present moment.

not as of now

Formalizes the expression, specifying the present as the reference point.

yet to be

Focuses on the state of incompleteness or anticipation.

not in the immediate future

Expands on the temporal aspect, specifying that it's not happening soon.

it is not yet the case

Introduces a more formal and explanatory tone.

not in the foreseeable future

Indicates a longer timeframe for the expected event or situation.

still to come

Simplifies the expression while maintaining the sense of anticipation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but not yet" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, you can replace "but not yet" with phrases such as "not at this time" or "not as of now". These alternatives provide a similar meaning while elevating the formality of your writing.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "but not yet"?

"But not yet" is best used when you want to convey that something is anticipated or expected to happen in the future, but it hasn't occurred or been achieved at the present moment. It implies a sense of expectation, anticipation, or potential.

What's the difference between "but not yet" and "not yet"?

Adding "but" before "not yet" often introduces a contrast or a condition. "Not yet" simply indicates that something hasn't happened. For example, "The project is underway, "but not yet" complete" implies progress is being made. "Not yet complete" simply states the project isn't finished.

Can I use "but not yet" in negative contexts?

Yes, "but not yet" can be used in negative contexts. For instance, "The problem isn't solved, "but not yet" hopeless" indicates that while the problem persists, there's still a sense of hope or potential for resolution.